Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd. is a Taiwanese bicycle manufacturer. Established 1972 in Tachia, Taichung, Giant started as an OEM, manufacturing bicycles to be sold under other company brand names (like Schwinn). In 1986, Giant, under new president Bill Austin, established its own brand of bicycles to compete in the rapidly expanding $200-and-above price range. Today Giant is well-known around the world as a manufacturer of quality bicycles and has sales in over 50 countries, in over 10,000 retail stores. Its annual global sales surpassed 2.8 million bicycles in 1998.
Giant introduced the compact geometry frame for racing bicycles. The Union Cycliste Internationale altered the specific requirements to allow for a sloping top tube.
Timeline 1972 - Establishes Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd. in Taiwan 1980 - Becomes Taiwan's Largest Bicycle Manufacturer 1981 - Establishes Giant Sales Company, Taiwan 1986 - Establishes Giant Europe BV, Netherlands 1987 - Establishes Giant Bicycle Inc., USA 1989 - Establishes Giant Company Ltd., Japan 1991 - Establishes Giant Bicycle Co., Canada, Inc. 1991 - Establishes Giant Bicycles PTY Ltd., Australia 1992 - Establishes Giant Co. Ltd., China 1994 - Goes Public on Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 9921) 1996 - Establishes European Factory, Netherlands. 1997 - Establishes Chuansin Metal Products (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., China 1998 - Manufactures 2,840,000 bicycles in a single year 1998 - Acquires 30% share of Hodaka in Japan 2002 - Manufactures 4,730,000 bicycles in a single year 2006 - Giant released accessories into the UK such as pumps, little apparel and luggage. 2007 - Giant released accessories into the UK such as pumps, little apparel and luggage. 2007 - Giant becomes the world's largest quality cycle manufacturer
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